P2 receptors in human heart: upregulation of P2X6 in patients undergoing heart transplantation, interaction with TNFalpha and potential role in myocardial cell death.

ATP acts as a neurotransmitter via seven P2X receptor-channels for Na(+) and Ca(2+), and eight G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors. Despite evidence suggesting roles in human heart, the map of myocardial P2 receptors is incomplete, and their involvement in chronic heart failure (CHF) has never received adequate attention. In left myocardia from five to nine control and 5-12 CHF subjects undergoing heart transplantation, we analyzed the full repertoire of P2 receptors and of 10 "orphan" P2Y-like receptors.

Platelet activation induces cell-surface immunoreactive tissue factor expression, which is modulated differently by antiplatelet drugs.

Objective: Tissue factor (TF) is the main activator of the coagulation cascade occurring in physiologic and pathologic conditions. Recent data suggest that human platelets might contain TF that is possibly derived from leukocytes. In this study, we investigated whether intraplatelet TF can be exposed on the membrane by platelet agonists.

[Value and dangers of indomethacin used in pregnancy. Apropos of 304 treated patients].

When Indomethacin in a dosage of 175 mg/day was used to treat threatened premature labour more than 70% of cases carried on until 37 weeks. This treatment therefore is an interesting alternative treatment to beta-mimetics whose the maternal side effects can be serious. As far as the cardiovascular systems of the fetus and neonate are concerned the effects in the dosage used are negligible.